Addison Richards

Addison Richards is a prolific actor who starred in over 250 film and television shows. He earned degrees at both Washington State University and Pomona College, where he developed an interest in acting and the arts. In 1931 he joined the Pasadena Community Playhouse and eventually worked his way up from actor to artistic director. He made his film debut in 1933 with a small role in the crime drama "Riot Squad" and worked steadily through the '30s, appearing in 17 films in 1935 alone. Richards became an indispensable character actor who could play both honorable authority figures and amoral villains. Many of his films from this period, like "The Deerslayer" and "Flying Tigers," feature him as dependable, virtuous characters. Starting in the early '50s Richards transitioned from film to television and appeared in many popular dramas like "Goodyear Playhouse," "Kraft Theater," and "Armstrong Circle Theater." He worked steadily as a guest actor on programs like "Zane Grey Theater" and westerns like "The Adventures of Jim Bowie," and in 1955 he landed a recurring role on "Schlitz Playhouse." During the late '50s he began a streak of medical roles on shows like "Lassie" and in films like "The Gambler Wore a Gun." During the '60s he appeared on numerous popular series, including "Laramie," "Bonanza," and "The Beverly Hillbillies."